Your kids will always need shoes. It’s good to have quality shoes that last a long time, especially since children’s feet are growing fast.

Make sure there is space (about a thumb width) at the front of the kids shoes in Adelaide to wiggle their toes freely. One foot usually fits larger than the other, so measure both feet to find the right size.

Size

Kids feet grow quickly, so it’s important to choose the right size of the shoe. The shoe should have room for your child to wiggle their toes and a thumb’s width of space up the front of the shoe. Shoes that feel tight are a sign that it’s time to replace them.

Kids shoe sizing is different for every brand, so check the size chart for your kid’s favourite brand. You can also ask the shoe experts at your local SCHEELS for help finding the right pair of shoes. If you’re shopping online, be sure to read the product description and customer reviews.

To measure your kid’s foot, put white or coloured A4 paper on the floor and have them stand on it with their full body weight evenly distributed. Use a pen or pencil to trace their feet, making sure you get the back of their heel and the tip of their longest toe. Once you’ve got both measurements, compare them to a foot ruler or shoe sizing chart. It’s always better to go with a larger size, but be careful not to buy shoes that are too big, as this can lead to tripping and squishing. On average, children’s feet grow by half a size every three months. That’s why it’s a good idea to measure their feet and shop for new shoes regularly.

Style

If you know your child is about to start walking, buy shoes that fit well. Look for a firm sole that doesn’t bend or squish the foot. The heel should be snug but not tight, and the toe box should be roomy. If your child is in between sizes, go a size up and leave the extra space for growth.

Kids’ feet tend to sweat more than adult feet, so choose breathable shoes with a leather or canvas upper and padded insoles. Avoid shoes with plastic or artificial materials, which are less breathable and won’t let children’s feet breathe. Children’s feet also tend to develop a flat arch over time, so choose shoes that offer good arch support and a hard outer sole with traction.

When sizing their kids shoes in Adelaide, ask kids to stand up in them with the heel and toe boxes in place and check for fit by pressing on the top of their foot with your thumb. If their toes touch the front of the shoe and are squeezed tightly, the shoe is too deep. Kids’ toes wiggle when they walk, so the shoe needs to allow them to move without pinching or pressing on their toes. A thumb’s width is ideal. If the shoe doesn’t have that much depth, it is too shallow and could cause problems down the line.

Materials

While the outer pieces of shoes are a big part of their look, it’s the lining that plays a major role when it comes to a shoe’s comfort and health. Children’s feet sweat heavily, so a shoe’s lining should be made from breathable materials. In addition, chrome-free linings are important because kids often wear their shoes without socks, and this is where they absorb many of the chemicals found in synthetics and other unfriendly fabrics.

It’s also a good idea to consider whether the shoes are water-resistant or have a waterproof membrane. Children often jump in puddles and frolic in the rain, so having shoes that will help keep their feet dry and comfortable is important.

Fit

Children’s feet are sensitive and require well-fitting shoes. Ill-fitting footwear can cause pain, discomfort and even long-term damage, such as shortened foot muscles, shortening of the arch and problems with the Achilles tendon. The best way to get a great fit is to shop with your child.

Once you’ve found a pair of kids shoes in Adelaide that you think will suit your child, ask them to sit and place their feet in the shoes. Then, feel the position of their longest toe in the shoe – for infants, this will usually be their big toe, and for older kids, it might be their second toe. A good-fitting shoe will leave about a thumb width of space between the end of the longest toe and the front of the shoe. The shoes need to be tight enough across the midfoot but still have space for the foot to spread or splay on standing.